Breaking radio silence and returning to take inventory of the last few months or so.
January
Moved out of my parents' house... yet again. I made the decision to move out waaaaaay back in August when I started working at Rainey Homes. So it only took me 5 months to finally pull the trigger. That Lauren's a slow mover.
Started another semester at SLCC, this time with a full schedule that had me bouncing back and forth between Salt Lake and Davis County a couple times a day. It's the most classes I've taken at one time since going back to school - mildly terrifying.
Got through some emotional hurdles after the move, most difficult of which was a sense of isolation. This coming from an introvert.
February
My biggest incentive in taking on more credit hours was so I would qualify for a tuition waiver through SLCC's Visual Art & Design program. Apparently they have scholarship money just laying around so I upped my course load and applied. I made it through the first round of the application process and later had to present my working portfolio to a room full of department heads - extremely terrifying!
Received said tuition waiver. I like when school pays for school.
March
Went on a family vacation to St. George to see a Queen cover band perform at Tuacahn. The concert was excellent, which was good because if it hadn't been this vacation might have gone down as one of the worst in Waters history. Rivaling even the capsized boat incident of 2003 at Lake Powell... Let's just say you never want to lock your keys in the trunk of your rented 2015 Volkswagen Passat. You will be carless until someone smarter than the car's computer can find a way to liberate your keys. In our case, that meant several days and 2 tow-truck trips while the car held our personal belongings hostage.
Submitted 4 pieces to the 2016 Student Art Show, 3 of which were accepted. Allow me to remind you of the lengthy entries about last year's show.
Received 2 awards at the show. One of which was... uh... Best in Show. I received it for a piece I designed in my Advanced Typography and Layout class last semester. My design instructor explained that a design piece hadn't taken the top prize in the show in over 10 years and that it was A VERY BIG DEAL. I promptly threw up in my mind.
Here's more about the project and the show itself if you're keen. What's sad is there are so many little things I would go back and change. Still might. Sometimes you get too close to your own work and just can't look at it objectively.
April
Had to act as Creative Director for a group project in my Advertising Workshop. I discovered that I like taking charge when I'm not in charge, but once you make it official and slap a title on me I'm not so enthusiastic. I guess that means I prefer the lead-from-behind approach. Actually, I prefer the it's-too-important-I'll-just-do-it-myself-becuase-I-don't-trust-you approach.
Was informed by my roommate of 4 months that she would be selling her home over the summer. I decide to ignore this added bit of anxiety-inducing news until the semester was over and I had the luxury of freaking out in earnest, thank you very much.
Took another trip down to St. George with a friend to see the Beach Boys at Tuacahn. Well, what remains of the Beach Boys. We were rained on (a lot), but didn't mind it... so much. Nobody else seemed to either because the venue was packed. "God Only Knows" was probably my favorite number, but the saxophone solo on "Kokomo" was a close second. Very smooth.
Purchased tickets for the Coldplay concert coming in August. Ended up paying lots of money for a couple of so-so seats and then another small fortune in processing and "convenience" fees. I wonder how much less I'd pay if I were inconvenienced?
May
End of the semester. My heart rate returns to normal.
Saw Captain America: Civil War. This is noteworthy because my life is basically measured in release dates for Marvel movies and British TV shows. You laugh because you think I'm kidding. I laugh because I know I'm not. With the introduction of Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, they've basically guaranteed my devotion for at least a few years more. But I am reaching my limit on the superhero movie front.
And while we're on the subject of Captain America, can I just say that I will never get over Peggy and Steve as long as I live. I think theirs is the most tragic narrative arc in the entire Marvel Universe. And then they go and cancel Agent Carter on ABC. Will I never have closure??
Started summer semester. I get to paint sometimes naked people 2 nights a week for 3 hours! Fortunately it's just the one class, but I'm back to using oil paints which is still a frustrating medium for me.
June
Moved again! And not back home to my parents' house like the coward you think I am. Hopefully this will be it for awhile. Moving has officially become my least favorite thing and the next time it happens, I'm just setting all my stuff on fire and starting over.
Besides all the boring minutiae in between, that should officially bring us up to speed. And aren't you glad?
